By the time this post we will have had one more motion hearing on the motion to dismiss for a defective indictment. It was our contention that the indictment was what they call duplicitous and multiplicitous. I'm reasonably certain this will also be denied. I know most of you think that these denials are because I don't know what I am doing but that is not the case. I am very calculated and know every point I am making. What I am trying to prove is that this judge has left the range of sanity and has given way to whimsical vapor justice. Judge Alsup is playing the retard. If he was honest about his work he would know that these motions had to be granted. Suddenly he is not a studied jurist but as stupid as one of the sheeple corralled into jury duty. You have to play for the endgame because this game is all about psychological warfare. It is the art of deception played by professionals. We received our Probation report today with the sentence guidelines. It was a good report for many reasons not obvious to the average thinker. The obvious was that we were given 45 points. The scale stops at 43 so that means we are 2 points higher than the maximum sentence which is life. Are you getting scared yet? How many people still think I would take this kind of risk for the money? I may not have convinced some of you I'm not a criminal but hopefully most of you can suspect I'm not a stupid one. To sit around and file everything on the public record, stay put when the judge and FBI come a calling, and never raise my price or increase my sales potential is not wise. I must be motivated by something else. The reality of sentencing is up to the imagination since this whole thing is all wonderland. All the numbers, victims, and guidelines are make believe. The judge has one idea, the probation has another, and the courts have another. Button, button, whose got the button? What can be figured out between all these parties arguing is that I am right and the motions were on point. We discovered by this report that San Diego County has filed charges on us (ABZ133[02]). I know nothing of this case except the victim. You probably will be able to learn more with your effort. After I'm done with these dumbbells I'll have a short sprint left. This case is required to be dismissed based upon the victim being in this trial through jeopardy doctrine so it is no concern. If you think changing jurisdictions is a way around this doctrine then you are easily duped. Anyway all this bullshit law talk I just share with you for educational purposes. Anyone who has done any real study must leave wonderland. With these motions denied we should be headed to sentencing on March 18th. This is the day we have all been waiting for. The DETAILS magazine has delayed their article until after sentencing. I am delighted by this delay. I am certain that the article he wished to write will be completely different than he will be forced to write after March 18th. The government mouthpieces did not want to talk until after sentencing. How can I blame them? This is still the great unknown.
UPDATE: The motion hearing on the motion to dismiss for a defective indictment was vacated.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
What I believe (February 6, 2008)
It seems Scott from crimeland wants to know what I believe. I will venture to answer this though I will say I am spending credits from our childhood and not from your great show of friendship on this blog. I don't believe in blowhards who use their own judgment as God's. I don't think the modern church is Christian. I don't think what has become the model Christian in today's western culture would recognize Jesus. I believe the way they behave and their ignorance of His kingdom dynamics is proof positive. I see some sincerity about your faith in what you express but I see way too much retarded Christianity. You think I'm judgmental because I tell you the truth. No that would be love. Love always speaks the truth whether popular or not. Here is how I judge you and the other retards on this blog. First I measure you against the word of God. John 5:30 As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. " John 112:49-50 "/or / have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me." You'll say I have a messiah complex because I use the words of Jesus, but I ask you how am I supposed to be different? Do I have the freedom to speak my own words? You use this freedom as one bold enough to substitute your judgment for Christ. That is why I oppose you and the fruities of this world. Christ does not change as you acknowledge and as He spoke against this arrogant self worship in the past He continues to speak. Do you know what God is doing with the UNITED STATES as a master? No! Do you know how the FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM fits into end time prophecy? No! Do you know where God is taking the world and what targets He is hitting? No! Do you understand the interplay between the government and the church within the ministry of Christ to this world? No! Do you know what God would require of you as a family man in the midst of all this global prophecy? No! I do know all these things and they were all factored into my work with Dorean. These truths effect all my decisions because I never want to bet against God. You bet against Him all the time and then are fool enough to ask Him to bless it. You have enough sense for me to pose this question. If Christ is the one and only true God whom presented Himself to humanity and bore them as His own, do you think that this whole exercise might just be about bringing Him all the glory, honor, and praise? I can hear you say "yes" here. Good then let me ask you this. Every Christian has an individual walk with the Lord. He stands in every instance naked before His God. He will either be shamed like Adam in his nakedness or will find a covering of grace that removes his shame. I suspect you have found this grace. Why is it then that you pontificate about my waywardness when I speak of secrets only heard in this private place? You don't repent because you love God. Repentance is loving God. I have been in this relationship with Christ a time and half longer than you and you think you are my teacher? Don't be a fool. I've forgotten more than you've even learned yet. You probably think I am making my boast which makes you a judge wiser than me. That is my point. You can't even understand the spirit of my speech because you have not been taken to the places in Christ I have, which I can tell because I've been everywhere you've been. I can map your future on principle alone. I am only entertaining you because I believe God caused our paths to cross for good reason. You have started in faith but have picked up too much pious bullshit and are bogged down. God knew I would love you enough to show you the ropes so to speak. That I will, but you will not listen until you see with your eyes my victory. That is evidence of your immaturity. If you really knew what God was doing in this age you would be my supporter. Instead you make yourself look good to a bunch of strangers as though you have an advantage over me. I'm in prison for my obedience but you are in prison by your ignorance. I know I am incarcerated but you do not. How are you going to function in the community of the saints when you haven't learned to love yourself. Loving yourself is loving God. How can you repent when you've convinced yourself that your wrong is right by religious traditions. God is so much bigger than your puny ethics. You think you can systematize God down to a formula that will please Him? You haven't begun to know him until you trust Him enough to humble yourself in faith. Not run from the pain of the exercise, not finding a martyr's resolve for eternity, but living in all the risk between His promises and their fulfillment. Getting along in this world is a sure bet you're a coward not a Christian. I believe I had no option other than to take my cause to the mat. As a man I want to get along in this world. I want comfort. I want to be with my wife like you. My God doesn't have that for me at the moment. Because He can't trust you with such a call you ridicule me! Give up your wife, reputation, and wealth. Could you do it? If you're honest I bet you'd say "no". Until you are willing to go there you will never know what I know in Christ. When you learn this fact your ears will be opened and your mouth will be shut. Faith, Hope and Love are essential and yet the greatest of these is love. You don't love me and you don't love the Christ who love me. If you were in Christ you would love me. You would know that I am about my father's business. Christ's body doesn't feed on itself. All members nurture and bear up the weak. If you were part of that body you would gladly receive strength from me. You would delight in the work I've been called to do. You would be in the throne room praying the appropriate word of God over my situation. You would likewise be confident in God's victory. You would support my faith and share in it. Instead you are regurgitating sermonettes of milk from twenty years of baby walk. You don't know how to apply these scriptures you quote because you don't know the context in which Christ spoke them. Do you know how many stages were prophesied over the church and what stage we are in currently? Do you know if your ideas are compatible with this prophecy? No! Do you know if the church and the government are supposed to conflict prior to God's return here in AMERICA? No! Don't you find if funny that you think Bush is a Christian more than myself? I live my walk and he like you talks in wonders and miracles. How are you going to distinguish the truth from a lie? If you can't see it in your friend that God brought again before your attention what will happen if an angel of light comes a calling? I do purposely trick you. I do purposely test you. I do purposely love you. You can't figure out how to write to me and get on with the business of why God brought us back together again because you're afraid? Why would God throw you to the wolves. You quote the lilies, and the birds scripture but you don't understand it. I know who I am in Christ and I know who you are. I have no fear especially when I can easily discern when God lights my path. You wouldn't be such a blowhard retard on here if you followed God's lead and actually attempted to get to know me and be a friend. Maybe I needed your friendship just now and your selfish little ass decided to rob God by being His master. Perhaps He better clear His plans better with you next time. I believe in a God much larger than the one you know. If you want to truly know what I believe you will now be obedient to what you've already been told and perhaps obedience will be a common denominator that rekindles our friendship and you will find the Christ in me and the Christ in you are the same mediator. Until then if you can't figure out what I believe from this you may never be able to.
Legal Question Challenge (February 4, 2008)
On the 23rd judge Alsup ruled on the motion for acquittal. It was denied as expected but one thing promising was obtained. This is something that I've been saying all along but now have the judge's stipulation. I have said that they pled only financial institutions as victims and that none appeared at trial. If you read his order of that day you will find that he agrees with the evidence issue but quotes this case 727 F.2d. 1293, (1984) U.S. v. Coachman as justification that none were required. My contention for many reasons is that they absolutely are required. This is a question in legal terms called the sufficiency of the evidence. If the appeals court reviews this it is simple. If Mr. Alsup is right the verdict sticks, if wrong the verdict is thrown out and no retrial is possible. These are fairly hefty stakes. I wanted to pose the issue to you as a study challenge to see if you can comfort yourself or figure out that I am a liar. My opinion is simple and I give you my case in support. 256 F.2d. 306, 311, 312 U.S. v. Alsugair (D.N.J. 2003) If they can do the bait and switch on the victim then congress has no right to punish others for the practice or to consider it a violation of public policy. Further I will add that mail fraud is a specific intent crime meaning they must determine that I had a mindset to swindle. Is it possible for someone to intend to defraud and in his intention contemplate someone else's something else without contemplation? Is it possible for a reasonable trier of fact to think that the human mind is possible of intentions not thought of? You might say here that other victims were proved so what does it matter? Let's try this idea on a rape charge. The victim listed in the indictment never appears but some other women never contemplated, appears and uses the facts of the rape incident of the other woman and obtains a conviction. Is this how your reason would work as a juror? Please tell me you're not as retarded as the gaggle forced upon me. Perhaps the smart people can come forward on this issue. Certainly this is right up the alley of JDJD, or Bean Head, maybe even Notorial D. Here is your chance to convince everyone that I don't have a snowballs chance in hell and that I got a fair trial. You and judge Alsup would be in agreement so you have the advantage. Show everyone how smart you are. Minute entry 14 is the superseding indictment but it was substantially redacted before it went to the jury. All the bank fraud and wire fraud charges were redacted with the contempt charges. If you review this you must redact those out and then look at it as the jury saw it. Do you think that the financial institutions were a necessary element to be convicted beyond a reasonable doubt or not will be the conclusion you must arrive at? Count one the conspiracy charge had no redactions.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Actual Closing Statements (January 24, 2008)
I have provided you with my closing statements. Now you must remember I could care less about winning this trial at this level. I have already won and that is why you won't understand my battle plans until I have finished my course. I can say for a certainty that I was well underpaid for my service to you. In the end you retards will even be thankful for my diligence and grace towards you. What you will recognize is that I had a brief opening statement where I asked for a guilty verdict and that I reference that in my closing. The time between these statements was about a month but 15 actual trial days. Some might suggest that I shot myself in the foot and guaranteed my conviction by that request. If that is true I'm amazed that the question “why” hasn't surfaced much. Even my prosecutors have never stopped to ask themselves why is it that Kurt and us have the same goals? Imagine 25 years of doing this job and they admittedly come across an intelligent and sophisticated defendant that has a strategy not seen before and they never ask why. Hell the "art of war" gives you a hundred warnings about this behavior. I'm certain 90 percent of these government drones have read this book. Well it will all be understood soon. Too late for my enemies and I guess not soon enough for my clients. If you guys make any real profession of Christ as God how can you truly believe His timing is faulty? I can understand from one suffering how I would like God to use my timing but never has that tempted me to dethrone Him for myself. These closing statements are just a small glimpse of the trial it hardly reflects the real trial that is happening. This was just one act in a much larger drama. The actual plot is far outside what was presented here. I have no respect for the retards that were gathered to supposedly try my life. If they had sense enough to try their own lives they would never be a juror. You have to be a dupe to be on the pool list. Yes I know I am going against all the respected advisers like your government and clergy but these all work together to steal from you. Their advice is self serving, always will be. If you follow it, it will be to your own demise. Do you really think if I was prosecuted before that I would subject myself to the same device without adaptation? This makes no sense. After having discovered that the myth of justice wasn't justified, you think I would naively think a second chance was wise. Somebody with my IQ wouldn't be that ignorant. It’s only those of you who have not been prosecuted by these fraudsters that still believe in the myth. From your wonderland anything can happen. Those who have been possessed with a little reality don't think like you. If I didn't have a winning strategy from the inception of Dorean I wouldn't have started it. If I was a crook I would have had a better exit strategy at least. Someday when you start using your mind for yourself instead as a serf yes man then you'll understand how obvious this statement being true is. Enjoy, I sure did. I hope someday these words will be used as an example of courage and wisdom because they expose the secret of knowledge not yet revealed but soon to be known.
Could it be said any better (January 20, 2008)
"God's Truth is God's love, and God's love frees us from ourselves to be free for others. To be free means nothing else than to be in this love, and to be in this love means nothing else than to be in God's truth.
The people who love, because they are freed through the truth of God, are the most revolutionary people on earth. They are the ones who upset all values; they are the explosives in human society. Such persons are the most dangerous. For they have recognized that people are untruthful in the extreme, and they are ready at any time, and just for the sake of love, to permit the light of truth to fall on them. This disturbance of peace, which comes to the world through these people, provokes the world's hatred. Therefore, the knight of truth and love is not the hero whom people worship and honor, who is free of enemies, but the one whom they cast out, whom they want to get rid of, whom they declare an outlaw, whom they kill. The way, which God's truth in the world has gone, leads to the cross.
From this we know that all truth which exists in the presence of God must lead to the cross. The community that follows Christ must go with him to the cross. Because of their truth and freedom they will be hated by the world. Nor can a people find truth and freedom if they do not place themselves in the judgment of God's truth. Likewise, a people will remain in untruth and slavery until such time as they receive and continue to receive their truth and their freedom from God alone, until they know that truth and freedom lead to love; indeed, until they know that the way of love leads to the cross. If a people are really able to acknowledge this today, then they will be the only people who have the right to call themselves a free people, and only people that are not slaves to themselves, but who are the free servants of God's truth."
This is a quote from a sermon of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the world was progressing to WWII. What I like about this quote is that it is timeless. The war all men face is the internal one between their evil hearts and God's truth. I have never had the freedom to be a crook, a messiah, or any other accusation made upon me. Those who make the comments are not free, they are the ones in a prison sentence for life. I can enjoy being hated by this world and even condemned as an outlaw because I live in God's truth. I can be honest and call the slaves retards because I know truth and freedom. Slaves are never a threat to the free person and they never will be. God's love can flow through the free person even to his enemies precisely because he is free. He knows what slavery is and has been delivered from it. He has entered another dimension of understanding and wisdom that the slave does not know or trust. The slave only lives by what he sees and only puts God to a test before he will surrender. It is like the difference between Moses and Aaron. They are both of the same line and both have a call of God on their life but one succumbs to the impatient selfish religious person and one delivers the Word of God. I deliver the word even though it may be over a painfully long protracted time frame. Those whose eyes have not seen signs and wonders grow impatient and accuse me of death. They find the Aaron' of this world to tickle their ears and give them a god of their own making. They are very reverent people and they do want a relationship with worship, devotion, and duty but not necessarily one of honor, and obedience. They definitely do not want a cross. Christ made it clear that the community of saints was His body and we all must share in the cross to share in the resurrection. To avoid the death of the cross is to avoid the life that follows. You can't teach this to a slave who fights for the death they call life. This must come by revelation from Christ and He is particular about whom He calls. There will be no retards in heaven and that is a guarantee. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Be patient and see the hand of the Lord deliver. Even if you seek a sign only one will be given you. That is the sign of Jonah which is death to you and life in Christ. Even your sign seeking condemns you.
The people who love, because they are freed through the truth of God, are the most revolutionary people on earth. They are the ones who upset all values; they are the explosives in human society. Such persons are the most dangerous. For they have recognized that people are untruthful in the extreme, and they are ready at any time, and just for the sake of love, to permit the light of truth to fall on them. This disturbance of peace, which comes to the world through these people, provokes the world's hatred. Therefore, the knight of truth and love is not the hero whom people worship and honor, who is free of enemies, but the one whom they cast out, whom they want to get rid of, whom they declare an outlaw, whom they kill. The way, which God's truth in the world has gone, leads to the cross.
From this we know that all truth which exists in the presence of God must lead to the cross. The community that follows Christ must go with him to the cross. Because of their truth and freedom they will be hated by the world. Nor can a people find truth and freedom if they do not place themselves in the judgment of God's truth. Likewise, a people will remain in untruth and slavery until such time as they receive and continue to receive their truth and their freedom from God alone, until they know that truth and freedom lead to love; indeed, until they know that the way of love leads to the cross. If a people are really able to acknowledge this today, then they will be the only people who have the right to call themselves a free people, and only people that are not slaves to themselves, but who are the free servants of God's truth."
This is a quote from a sermon of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the world was progressing to WWII. What I like about this quote is that it is timeless. The war all men face is the internal one between their evil hearts and God's truth. I have never had the freedom to be a crook, a messiah, or any other accusation made upon me. Those who make the comments are not free, they are the ones in a prison sentence for life. I can enjoy being hated by this world and even condemned as an outlaw because I live in God's truth. I can be honest and call the slaves retards because I know truth and freedom. Slaves are never a threat to the free person and they never will be. God's love can flow through the free person even to his enemies precisely because he is free. He knows what slavery is and has been delivered from it. He has entered another dimension of understanding and wisdom that the slave does not know or trust. The slave only lives by what he sees and only puts God to a test before he will surrender. It is like the difference between Moses and Aaron. They are both of the same line and both have a call of God on their life but one succumbs to the impatient selfish religious person and one delivers the Word of God. I deliver the word even though it may be over a painfully long protracted time frame. Those whose eyes have not seen signs and wonders grow impatient and accuse me of death. They find the Aaron' of this world to tickle their ears and give them a god of their own making. They are very reverent people and they do want a relationship with worship, devotion, and duty but not necessarily one of honor, and obedience. They definitely do not want a cross. Christ made it clear that the community of saints was His body and we all must share in the cross to share in the resurrection. To avoid the death of the cross is to avoid the life that follows. You can't teach this to a slave who fights for the death they call life. This must come by revelation from Christ and He is particular about whom He calls. There will be no retards in heaven and that is a guarantee. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Be patient and see the hand of the Lord deliver. Even if you seek a sign only one will be given you. That is the sign of Jonah which is death to you and life in Christ. Even your sign seeking condemns you.
Bad News (January 17, 2008)
Some big numbers have been thrown around even by Mr. Alsup but the truth of the matter is that the maximum statutory sentence is 5 years. Read the statute 1341 and 1349 from title 18. The maximum sentence is 5 years unless it effected a financial institution. Since no financial institution showed up at trial and no such evidence was entered the 30 years enhancement is not applicable. The conviction was on 1 count of conspiracy 1349 and 35 counts of mail fraud 1341. Now at first glance one would think that 35 times 5 is the maximum exposure of which Mr. Alsup might settle in around the 15-20 years range being bantered about on this Blog. I think Dr. Caligirl vacillates between these numbers. There is a code section in the sentencing guideline called 3D 1.2 and 5G.2 that make it clear that because all these counts are part of the same scheme they must be grouped and the sentence must run concurrent. That means he can sentence me to 35 times 5 years but they must run concurrent. This is the bad news. We went to trial and kept all our "rights," if you believe in such things, intact for appeal purposes and Farrel and Bill get the same time without any appeal possibilities. Again it appears we are stupid. Things that the court of appeals will overturn on that were present should also be considered in your honest examination of the facts. The conspiracy count, which was count one of the indictment, was written in a way that was duplicitous and can't be cured by any remedy except retrial and a new indictment. Problem though; jeopardy has attached by the verdict and can't retry. Guess just have to acquit. Indictment pled only financial institutions as defined in title 18 § 20 as the victims. Remember I told you long ago that you clients had no interest in the trial. This is what I was talking about. Next problem; they pled one victim and brought in others not pled which left a sufficiency of evidence problem for the conviction. Yes I wasn't able to delude the 12 retards who couldn't distinguish an appropriate set of facts with reason. I'm the one full of shit remember. Next problem; the jury instructions state that the banks had legal rights that they were precluded by law from having. The judge trumped the legislators to our brilliant panel of retards. They didn't catch it of course but try that on the 9th circuit. The instructions were also deficient on two mandatory instructions that were omitted and 3-4 others that should have been addresses based upon the evidence submitted. There are about a good dozen areas where the brilliant Mr. Alsup abused his discretion. At this level piss-off this is my court works on the average coward but that is not legal justification accepted at the next level. Next problem; without financial institutions the jurisdictional hook that supposedly gives the feds an interest is lost. If I defrauded a California corporation it is not a fed case. Oops! No federal victim appeared at trial. Can you say overturn? Next problem; the indictment pled damages of loan loss but no losses were presented into evidence so the prosecution changed the element of loss to honest services also which were not proven. You cannot change victims or elements of the crime midstream especially if you don't plead it. This would create so many due process problems I won't bore you with listing them. Perhaps a Beaner or JDJD can enlighten you. Check their brilliance cause they can't be duped by my clever twist. Next problem; the statute 1341 is vague as to the property right in question or it is specific. If it is specific than no proof was offered and a sufficiency of the evidence problem resurfaces. If it is not what is listed in the statute then due process which requires adequate notice of the charges and what needs to be defended is violated by the vagueness. Now this little issue has not been adjudicated as raised by ourselves in 120 years. Do you believe that? Kurt and Scott are the first to raise it. Yeah right! What that means is that the courts find a way to avoid this question of law on some other basis to avoid exposing the governments’ liberal construction that has convictions broadly applied throughout the land. Always ask a question they don't want answered and they will make you go away. Can you say overturn for some other reason? Next problem; the indictment was constructively amended by various redactions that removed the necessary elements of the crimes and the jury was never instructed of their necessity or absence. How are you going to fix that? Can you say overturn? There are other problems that will never have to be relied upon though pled but why bore you with too much obvious. Yeah we are in great peril. Crushed by the very best retards available. Take a peak and see if I'm the liar. Might be surprised.
UPDATE:
I have misstated the above sentencing requirements because I did not have access to a 2002 amendment to the statute 1341. At that time the 5 years was modified to 20 years. Before this becomes an "Aha" for the haters let me explain that this now means that the sentencing guidelines will now become relevant. In a future post I will detail these for you. You'll find that under these conditions I will either get 24 months or 20 years depending on what make believe gets accepted. This is what we'll be deliberating in February.
UPDATE:
I have misstated the above sentencing requirements because I did not have access to a 2002 amendment to the statute 1341. At that time the 5 years was modified to 20 years. Before this becomes an "Aha" for the haters let me explain that this now means that the sentencing guidelines will now become relevant. In a future post I will detail these for you. You'll find that under these conditions I will either get 24 months or 20 years depending on what make believe gets accepted. This is what we'll be deliberating in February.
The Villagers (December 10, 2007)
I have journeyed too many years to recall. Somewhere along the path I lost the agility of my youth. Frigid conditions deposited a certain chill within my bones. My muscles grew thick under the many heavy burdens I carried. My sinew grew as rigid as my opinions and reason. I even grew fat with experience. Aches and pains like knowledge keep gnawing at my mind for recognition. Grey hairs and not so supple skin are small tokens of revelation to others what cannot be shared.
Today I arrived at one of the strangest places one can visit. It was a small village that was oblivious to the real world I had journeyed. The people were tall in stature with broad shoulders and under ideal conditions would be a robust clan. This ideal was not present and they were healthy in all ways but completely famished. Their smiles were contrived while they lived in their fears and phobias. Though they toiled for sustenance constantly there was always a state of lack. The children were listless with the hope of becoming just like mom and dad.
The village itself lacked soil, water, and other natural resources. Its ability to expand was reduced by these limitations. Up a large hill, maybe even a mountain was a very large meadow that could easily feed the entire village but it lay fallow. On the other side were crags and what appeared to be a volcanic cataract (the heat which could be felt throughout the meadow). I suspect that is why it had remained un-worked.
Talking with the villagers netted many strange myths and a legend of the fire god of the mountain. The people talked of the fire god increasing the heat if anyone went to work the meadow. That is why it was not touched. It was actually revered as hollowed ground only traversed by the mystic elders. Sometimes they would walk the field appeasing the fire god with petitions and offerings. Sometimes the fire god would show his favor by leaving books in their language in the field. These books spoke of history, economics, administrations, governing, and many other subjects the elders would use to educate the masses. The people thought themselves very wise because they were taught by the gods.
I was taken in by the elders and kept as an enigma to the common people. They took great interest in my travels and some of the documents I possessed. I didn't mind this arrangement because these people were an enigma to me. The other thing that troubled me most was the volcanic cataract. I had studied many maps and something in my memory plagued me about this cataract. It was an ancient map floating in my head but not yet connected to where I saw it that made me think this village and meadow was supposed to be near some of the largest mineral deposits known to man and some of the plushest gardens. If I was correct then these people were on the cusp of luxury yet ignorant and without hope. Could it be that the map was wrong or that there was some eruption I had not heard of that changed the landscape? This was always circling in my mind as I spoke with the elders.
The elders and I went over the books and discussed the topics. Sometimes it was a heated debate but that only happened when I was forceful about my opinion. This I rarely did out of respect and a certain indifference to their stubbornness. This event only happened behind closed doors in the elder's hall. They had a custom of open government so a scribe was always present. After three days the elder's spokesman would take the tablets from the scribe and read them to the public. My first listen to one of these orations that discussed a meeting of which I had attended had taken just a few facts and wove them into a complete fabrication. They were open governors; open to drama and screenwriting. As a stranger and guest I was never tempted to insert my knowledge. It was my experience that most people prefer a good story as opposed to the truth. Actually the truth was an offense and generally the quickest path to a revolt. There is probably some long psychological term to describe this pathetic state but I was not familiar with it. It seemed to work for them like choreographed dance that required a leader and a follower. As I mulled over these books a childlike question entered my mind and before I could capture it my mouth spoke it. "How is it that a fire god can deliver these books to you without a single singe or scorching?" Their retort was likewise childlike "Who are we to question the gods? God can do anything he desires." "The books are not all we get from the fire god he also supplies all our money" "What money do you speak of?" I asked. At this they showed me some very sophisticated bills of various denominations. The books were one thing but the fire god being the people's mint was too bizarre not to create a thousand questions. "How long has the fire god supplied your money? Why does it have any value to your people? How do you know how much you will get and when?"
Fortunately for me an elder, whose name translated, was Phoenix, rose from the ashes of my curiosity to give me a discourse. "As long as I have been alive it has been our custom to take the best of what we have and bring it to the field as an offering. If the gods are pleased with it by morning it is gone. This we must do with food, grain, minerals, wine, or anything we produce four times a year. We must also take every unit of money and place it with the offering. The gods have us fixed on about 2,000 units a person, an adult. (I'll insert here the units when translated are called Reals [re-als] like in reality not reels) when they are angry with us they reduce it and when they are pleased they increase. When we return to the village it gets distributed out in proportion to each villager until the next offering. What becomes most difficult is that we don't know which way it will go or why. No matter which way it goes the gods will never tolerate slack. They demand a certain measure absolutely. When the money is increased the prices go up. The worst though is when the money is decreased. When that happens some can't pay their way and the elders have to foreclose on behalf of the gods. We have to liquidate everything they have give 80% in offering to the gods, 10% to the elders, and 10% we return to the villager to help them start over. We also try and find them a second job. In the worst situations villagers have killed themselves over this but all have to trust the gods. Most will dig down for a little more strength or get the wife and children working. Many times these families turn things around. Our most famous case of this is elder Badger over there, (he pointed) Badger lost everything when he was about 30. He had 3 kids and a wife. He was betting on a good harvest and the gods blessing, which was looking pretty good at the time. Out of nowhere some locust came flying off the mountain and destroyed most of what we had.
gods were furious because they reduced our money like never before. There were many foreclosures at the time. How can you reason with the gods? Anyway, he is now one of the most prosperous and became an elder for his good work in teaching economic. Most of the elders are hereditary positions but when a line dies out we select one of the ablest from the commoners. That is how Badger arrived.
The next question I had was birthed out of what I just heard. "What is the oldest history of your people? How long have you been here?" Phoenix politely said that the elder who was the best historian should answer that question and he called over Jade. Jade listened to my questions and began: "We are a people loosely formed about 230 years ago. At that time we were at war with an oppressive tribe. The battles were severe and the toll was heavy upon our people. Our great ancestor Abclause called a national day of prayer and fasting for victory. He said that a messenger came to him from the gods who were willing to secure our victory if we would serve and obey them. The messenger was mystical to the people but the elders knew him as a little man named Cricket that was brokering for the gods. Cricket said he would supply us ample money for all the weapons and supplies needed but that once victory was obtained we would have to pay it back to the gods who made them available to him. He did all he said he would. Money came fluidly and we used it to buy everything needed to win and win we did. At our victory celebration Abclause and Cricket spoke. Abclause's speech was brief but poignant "People we have won a freedom for us today to be an independent people. Your bravery and effort made you accomplish it. This all came into being though by the generosity of the gods. We had not known these gods before but they have chosen us and we have agreed to serve them. Their agent Cricket will tell us the terms which are also written as a perpetual decree. To the gods be the glory." Cricket then spoke. "The gods are very pleased with you this day. They intend on giving you a sign of this pleasure and a sign to all that surround you that they are powerful and should be revered. First they are demanding that you set out of a pilgrimage 3 days to the tar pits, fast on this journey and pray and then hold a one day feast there of song, dance, and thanksgiving. Return fasting and upon your return will be the sign waiting for you. All must go on this journey without exception or the gods will take displeasure upon you and assist your enemies. From this time on you will have to make offerings every quarter and do what the gods request of you through your elders. The gods will assist you with knowledge and wisdom. The gods salute you and it was my pleasure to be of service to you. You will no longer see me again. Now return to your celebration." This was the essence of that day. When we returned from the journey the fire mountain had appeared and the meadow was now off limits." Jade finished.
I was beginning to suspect a genius plan of intelligent design too depraved for a good god or too simple for an evil god. It started to have all the marking of a conquest to me. This I did not share but my investigations continued. That fire mountain could not find a resting place in my soul. There was something blazing upon my suspicions I couldn't quite sooth. I sought a day with the villagers by the elders permission with the vow of secrecy. As I meandered through the streets I found the people very pleasant and optimistic about how tragic they felt their lives were. The all thought the gods could be nicer to them but remember that it was the gods that bought them their freedom and they felt blasphemous is their contempt. In this way they were very mystical. They were a subordinate people that trusted their elders. Though they had caught them in lies they didn't think it too serious since it was the gods really making the decisions over their lives. I asked them if anyone ever farmed the meadow on the hill. Their answers were spooky. There were many different myths as to what would happen if any ever tried. All these myths had the common theme of displeasure to the gods and death or peril to the violator. From this I took my leave and rested for the night.
The next morning I decided that I needed to take a little walk in the meadow. I had already discovered in passing that the temperature was going to be a little warm. This reminded me of the time I spent with an Australian buddy in Scandinavia in the sauna. We had to wear a special felt hat because of the temperature. The saunas there were 220° and would bake your brain quickly without these hats. I happened to have mine with me because I found it effective in hot or cold situations. I dawned the hat and scant clothing and headed to the meadow. I had with me a small table, a drawing-note pad, and a glass of wine with a fine cigar. I set up the table with all the supplies and then headed to the right side of the field. I turned left going directly to the fire mountain at the far right position. I had a temperature gage conspicuously hidden within my right palm. At the turn the temperature was 128° and it increased about 10% every fifty feet or so. As I got to the very edge where there was a culvert about 20 ft. wide except in one spot that protruded out to as close as 6 ft. This natural jetty would be only realistic place to navigate this mountain from the meadow without severe difficultly. I continued left running parallel with the culver headed toward the center of the mountain where the cataract of lava flowed. The temperature strangely enough decreased about halfway between the far right position and the center and then increased to the exact measurement of the right position. I found this very curious because I have never experience nature operating so precisely. To further my concerns of skepticism was the exact same pattern between the central position and the far left. I was a bit sloppy wet by now and wanted to cool down in thought and body. I returned to the table to enjoy my wine and cigar which I brought for this purpose. As I sat there looking upon this mountain I took the pad and began to sketch and jot down some ideas as notes. I took a sip of wine and set the glass down. That's when I noticed. The shadow wasn't aligned with the shadow on the mountain. This reminded me of one of my first journeys. When I was a young lad I came across and old prospector who used to speak with a certain raw wisdom. He said things like; "kick the dirt until it kicks back on you, even babbling brooks have something to say if you'll listen," and the one that fit my current situation perfectly was, "if the shadows aren't right the substance isn't right." Now the difference was not much but significant. Imagine if you will a sundial giving you two different times from a single light source and you can imagine how queer this was. Next I watched the cataract easily for an hour. I noticed a crescent shaped hot spot that flowed down which was not that unusual until I saw it again and again and timed it at 4:28 intervals. Now there is no way in hell this is possible in nature. I was dealing with a projection of intellect that was not a god's. I sketched out the mountain until that plaguing though of the map became clear. I had not seen it on a map but in a book. It was a perfect replica of a drawing from an ancient copy of Dante's inferno. Not in two dimensions but in three. Somebody was duping these villagers, but who was my question? At this discovery I elected to return to the village. The villagers were no longer quite the enigma as upon my arrival. They were dupes and I had seen that hundreds of times in my journeys. Now the enigma was who or what was behind it. I wasn't looking to be the champion of these villagers or anything like that I just wanted to know. If they liked their arrangements who was I to interfere. Many thoughts filled my mind before I retired for the night but at the end of the day I knew I was leaving the village in the morning. I was going to leave early and head straight for that mountain. A short sprint even with my equipment would propel me to the jetty.
The morning came and before the sun could cast it's deceptive shadows I was packed and headed to the meadow. I had my knives, hatchet, gun, maps, books, and stock of food. I had said my good-byes on friendly terms but I could tell they were a little caught off guard by my sudden departure. The elders actually had a very concerned look upon their face as though something had slipped their control and they didn't know what the cost of that act was going to be but they were certain there was going to be a cost. I did nothing to settle their minds. I kind of enjoyed it because I really didn't know the answer they were seeking intuitively. What I had decided to do was to make my early exit and walk to the meadow. Even though I was not scantly dressed I would run full speed toward the mountain heat and all and long jump to the jetty. If this mountain was real and I was delusional this could be a very dangerous exercise. I would fall off into the culvert and probably cook trying to get out. I was about as certain as I could be that risking my life seemed no risk at all. Nature is not that queer and I am not that stupid.
Leap, land, roll and surprise was about how it went. I had cleared the culvert easily and rolled straight through the mirage which was a mountain to the villagers. The surprise was not mine alone. What I saw was a bunch of little people. Not like dwarfs with compacted features but simply little people completely proportioned but small. They all seemed to be fat in their bellies from a good life of luxury. They were laughing, playing games, drinking wine, smoking, and eating until shock overtook their lives and faces. There were three blast furnaces that were being monitored by a couple of workers each. They were the heat source for the meadow. Their placement at the far right, left, and center accounted for the variations of heat I recorded. Hanging about 30 feet in the air was some type of projector. Nothing I had seen before. It was obviously the source of the fire mountain. It had hundreds of lenses poking out of it like a porcupine but they didn't shine like a luminescent bulb. They must have been of some laser type. I couldn't imagine how the act was accomplished but I noticed it took electricity because there was a long power cord running up a tree and then suspended in the air between the tree and projector. Very quickly about a dozen of these little folks came rushing towards me. They did not have weapons or evil intent the best I could tell. It was a good thing because I suspected I could take a couple of hundred out by myself. These were the elders and immediately they began bargaining with me. I wasn't interested and told them I was just passing through. They wanted to know if I had revealed my knowledge to any of the villagers. I assured them no and that I wasn't interested in their plight. I was passing through and this was the shortest path to my destination and that's why I took it. They seemed content with this and offered me some hospitality. They were bright and witty with a great sense of humor. They did show some signs though of uncomfortableness about the size difference. Still with a little wine, time, and conversation this seemed to dissipate a little. About three hours later, which was about sunrise, old Abclause came running toward the jetty as I. The projection worked in such a way as a one way mirror. Those inside could see everything going on outside but none could see in. He didn't do the tuck and roll as I because he apparently knew what to expect. It was obvious this was not his first trip. He was shocked to see me but also relieved that he had instantly figured out that I was being entertained.
Abclause joined us and made many conversation probes to see if I had evil intent. All the parties made it clear that I was barred from a return to the village ever again and that I must exit according to my plan through the valley's backside. All the assurances were easy because I was agreeable almost 100%. One thing though I must mention about myself is that my father raised me to be a honest man. There was always this little thing that boiled in me when I came across a cheat, especially an intentional one. That's what these little men and the village elders were up to plain and simple. I thought after all the courting that I would offer my best hatchet as a gift of good graces between us at my parting. After a few hours of them wanting to know how I figured it out so that they could make improvements and assure no village became as wise it was time to leave. Now this hatchet was my favorite and to part with it was difficult. I was a champion ax thrower and this hatchet was handcrafted for me as my competition ax. It was of the best metals and perfectly balanced. I had grown so comfortable with it as an extension of my arm that I could divide a frog’s hair from fifty feet. Of course I did not share that skill with my evil host. I acted a little more tipsy than I was and became loquacious and good-humored. Even old Abclause settled into a comfort of a security that his racket and fraud were secure. That was not true but it was good to see him enjoy himself one last time. I told them I needed to leave and pack my stuff. I offered all the polite courtesies and refused any further hospitality or gifts. I insisted though that I must give them this hatchet for it was my custom if anyone showed me the kindness of the magnitude I received that I was required to leave a gift. I made up a story about how I would need my knife and various other tools to survive and that the hatchet was special not for the reasons it truly was but because my father gave it to me. I passed it around and they all enjoyed the look and feel session until it return to my hand. I began my exit walking as though inebriated and we all laughed. I then bragged about how sharp it was and how your can even throw it. I turned quickly in a very coordinated and calculated direction though disguised as a jerky stumble of a drunk and threw it straight into the power cord. Cut it smack down the middle. I laughed and chuckled acting oblivious to what just happened as they all suddenly turned stone sober. The mountain was gone. I continued my exit as though nothing happened until it was no longer possible. There was fear and ciaos on every face and in every action. They wanted to kill me but I was able to sell the accident quality of my behavior. I apologized profusely with vain offers of trying to fix it. I took advantage of being drunk in their minds the best I could. I think I was doing a little Foster Brooks impersonation. Well it wasn't long before villagers began rushing up to the meadow. I was leaving and nobody seemed to care. They were in that strange naked place of being caught without their wardrobe of deceit. I could see Abclause and the tiny men elders trying to come up with the spin before the villagers arrived but there was obviously no agreement or joy.
It's been years now since this journey and I often wonder if the villagers have been duped again. Perhaps truth crashing in on them has changed their nature. It still amazes me how tiny men can steal the energy and resources of the real men so easily. There must be some principle or random joke pervading the universe that allows what should be impossible to continue to happen. Did the villagers exact restitution, find justice, or were they beguiled again. Their elders compromised their own people for the privilege of luxury from the tiny men. Will they be forgiven, punished, or believed. I don't know the answers to this village and have no plans in my journeys to arrive there again, but I can say I have seen this many places. This one is the only one I have had the opportunity to expose. Though it was in passing, I'm glad I did. Something tells me though there might be a tiny man behind the next illusion because they seemed addicted to the power and luxury of human slavery.
Today I arrived at one of the strangest places one can visit. It was a small village that was oblivious to the real world I had journeyed. The people were tall in stature with broad shoulders and under ideal conditions would be a robust clan. This ideal was not present and they were healthy in all ways but completely famished. Their smiles were contrived while they lived in their fears and phobias. Though they toiled for sustenance constantly there was always a state of lack. The children were listless with the hope of becoming just like mom and dad.
The village itself lacked soil, water, and other natural resources. Its ability to expand was reduced by these limitations. Up a large hill, maybe even a mountain was a very large meadow that could easily feed the entire village but it lay fallow. On the other side were crags and what appeared to be a volcanic cataract (the heat which could be felt throughout the meadow). I suspect that is why it had remained un-worked.
Talking with the villagers netted many strange myths and a legend of the fire god of the mountain. The people talked of the fire god increasing the heat if anyone went to work the meadow. That is why it was not touched. It was actually revered as hollowed ground only traversed by the mystic elders. Sometimes they would walk the field appeasing the fire god with petitions and offerings. Sometimes the fire god would show his favor by leaving books in their language in the field. These books spoke of history, economics, administrations, governing, and many other subjects the elders would use to educate the masses. The people thought themselves very wise because they were taught by the gods.
I was taken in by the elders and kept as an enigma to the common people. They took great interest in my travels and some of the documents I possessed. I didn't mind this arrangement because these people were an enigma to me. The other thing that troubled me most was the volcanic cataract. I had studied many maps and something in my memory plagued me about this cataract. It was an ancient map floating in my head but not yet connected to where I saw it that made me think this village and meadow was supposed to be near some of the largest mineral deposits known to man and some of the plushest gardens. If I was correct then these people were on the cusp of luxury yet ignorant and without hope. Could it be that the map was wrong or that there was some eruption I had not heard of that changed the landscape? This was always circling in my mind as I spoke with the elders.
The elders and I went over the books and discussed the topics. Sometimes it was a heated debate but that only happened when I was forceful about my opinion. This I rarely did out of respect and a certain indifference to their stubbornness. This event only happened behind closed doors in the elder's hall. They had a custom of open government so a scribe was always present. After three days the elder's spokesman would take the tablets from the scribe and read them to the public. My first listen to one of these orations that discussed a meeting of which I had attended had taken just a few facts and wove them into a complete fabrication. They were open governors; open to drama and screenwriting. As a stranger and guest I was never tempted to insert my knowledge. It was my experience that most people prefer a good story as opposed to the truth. Actually the truth was an offense and generally the quickest path to a revolt. There is probably some long psychological term to describe this pathetic state but I was not familiar with it. It seemed to work for them like choreographed dance that required a leader and a follower. As I mulled over these books a childlike question entered my mind and before I could capture it my mouth spoke it. "How is it that a fire god can deliver these books to you without a single singe or scorching?" Their retort was likewise childlike "Who are we to question the gods? God can do anything he desires." "The books are not all we get from the fire god he also supplies all our money" "What money do you speak of?" I asked. At this they showed me some very sophisticated bills of various denominations. The books were one thing but the fire god being the people's mint was too bizarre not to create a thousand questions. "How long has the fire god supplied your money? Why does it have any value to your people? How do you know how much you will get and when?"
Fortunately for me an elder, whose name translated, was Phoenix, rose from the ashes of my curiosity to give me a discourse. "As long as I have been alive it has been our custom to take the best of what we have and bring it to the field as an offering. If the gods are pleased with it by morning it is gone. This we must do with food, grain, minerals, wine, or anything we produce four times a year. We must also take every unit of money and place it with the offering. The gods have us fixed on about 2,000 units a person, an adult. (I'll insert here the units when translated are called Reals [re-als] like in reality not reels) when they are angry with us they reduce it and when they are pleased they increase. When we return to the village it gets distributed out in proportion to each villager until the next offering. What becomes most difficult is that we don't know which way it will go or why. No matter which way it goes the gods will never tolerate slack. They demand a certain measure absolutely. When the money is increased the prices go up. The worst though is when the money is decreased. When that happens some can't pay their way and the elders have to foreclose on behalf of the gods. We have to liquidate everything they have give 80% in offering to the gods, 10% to the elders, and 10% we return to the villager to help them start over. We also try and find them a second job. In the worst situations villagers have killed themselves over this but all have to trust the gods. Most will dig down for a little more strength or get the wife and children working. Many times these families turn things around. Our most famous case of this is elder Badger over there, (he pointed) Badger lost everything when he was about 30. He had 3 kids and a wife. He was betting on a good harvest and the gods blessing, which was looking pretty good at the time. Out of nowhere some locust came flying off the mountain and destroyed most of what we had.
gods were furious because they reduced our money like never before. There were many foreclosures at the time. How can you reason with the gods? Anyway, he is now one of the most prosperous and became an elder for his good work in teaching economic. Most of the elders are hereditary positions but when a line dies out we select one of the ablest from the commoners. That is how Badger arrived.
The next question I had was birthed out of what I just heard. "What is the oldest history of your people? How long have you been here?" Phoenix politely said that the elder who was the best historian should answer that question and he called over Jade. Jade listened to my questions and began: "We are a people loosely formed about 230 years ago. At that time we were at war with an oppressive tribe. The battles were severe and the toll was heavy upon our people. Our great ancestor Abclause called a national day of prayer and fasting for victory. He said that a messenger came to him from the gods who were willing to secure our victory if we would serve and obey them. The messenger was mystical to the people but the elders knew him as a little man named Cricket that was brokering for the gods. Cricket said he would supply us ample money for all the weapons and supplies needed but that once victory was obtained we would have to pay it back to the gods who made them available to him. He did all he said he would. Money came fluidly and we used it to buy everything needed to win and win we did. At our victory celebration Abclause and Cricket spoke. Abclause's speech was brief but poignant "People we have won a freedom for us today to be an independent people. Your bravery and effort made you accomplish it. This all came into being though by the generosity of the gods. We had not known these gods before but they have chosen us and we have agreed to serve them. Their agent Cricket will tell us the terms which are also written as a perpetual decree. To the gods be the glory." Cricket then spoke. "The gods are very pleased with you this day. They intend on giving you a sign of this pleasure and a sign to all that surround you that they are powerful and should be revered. First they are demanding that you set out of a pilgrimage 3 days to the tar pits, fast on this journey and pray and then hold a one day feast there of song, dance, and thanksgiving. Return fasting and upon your return will be the sign waiting for you. All must go on this journey without exception or the gods will take displeasure upon you and assist your enemies. From this time on you will have to make offerings every quarter and do what the gods request of you through your elders. The gods will assist you with knowledge and wisdom. The gods salute you and it was my pleasure to be of service to you. You will no longer see me again. Now return to your celebration." This was the essence of that day. When we returned from the journey the fire mountain had appeared and the meadow was now off limits." Jade finished.
I was beginning to suspect a genius plan of intelligent design too depraved for a good god or too simple for an evil god. It started to have all the marking of a conquest to me. This I did not share but my investigations continued. That fire mountain could not find a resting place in my soul. There was something blazing upon my suspicions I couldn't quite sooth. I sought a day with the villagers by the elders permission with the vow of secrecy. As I meandered through the streets I found the people very pleasant and optimistic about how tragic they felt their lives were. The all thought the gods could be nicer to them but remember that it was the gods that bought them their freedom and they felt blasphemous is their contempt. In this way they were very mystical. They were a subordinate people that trusted their elders. Though they had caught them in lies they didn't think it too serious since it was the gods really making the decisions over their lives. I asked them if anyone ever farmed the meadow on the hill. Their answers were spooky. There were many different myths as to what would happen if any ever tried. All these myths had the common theme of displeasure to the gods and death or peril to the violator. From this I took my leave and rested for the night.
The next morning I decided that I needed to take a little walk in the meadow. I had already discovered in passing that the temperature was going to be a little warm. This reminded me of the time I spent with an Australian buddy in Scandinavia in the sauna. We had to wear a special felt hat because of the temperature. The saunas there were 220° and would bake your brain quickly without these hats. I happened to have mine with me because I found it effective in hot or cold situations. I dawned the hat and scant clothing and headed to the meadow. I had with me a small table, a drawing-note pad, and a glass of wine with a fine cigar. I set up the table with all the supplies and then headed to the right side of the field. I turned left going directly to the fire mountain at the far right position. I had a temperature gage conspicuously hidden within my right palm. At the turn the temperature was 128° and it increased about 10% every fifty feet or so. As I got to the very edge where there was a culvert about 20 ft. wide except in one spot that protruded out to as close as 6 ft. This natural jetty would be only realistic place to navigate this mountain from the meadow without severe difficultly. I continued left running parallel with the culver headed toward the center of the mountain where the cataract of lava flowed. The temperature strangely enough decreased about halfway between the far right position and the center and then increased to the exact measurement of the right position. I found this very curious because I have never experience nature operating so precisely. To further my concerns of skepticism was the exact same pattern between the central position and the far left. I was a bit sloppy wet by now and wanted to cool down in thought and body. I returned to the table to enjoy my wine and cigar which I brought for this purpose. As I sat there looking upon this mountain I took the pad and began to sketch and jot down some ideas as notes. I took a sip of wine and set the glass down. That's when I noticed. The shadow wasn't aligned with the shadow on the mountain. This reminded me of one of my first journeys. When I was a young lad I came across and old prospector who used to speak with a certain raw wisdom. He said things like; "kick the dirt until it kicks back on you, even babbling brooks have something to say if you'll listen," and the one that fit my current situation perfectly was, "if the shadows aren't right the substance isn't right." Now the difference was not much but significant. Imagine if you will a sundial giving you two different times from a single light source and you can imagine how queer this was. Next I watched the cataract easily for an hour. I noticed a crescent shaped hot spot that flowed down which was not that unusual until I saw it again and again and timed it at 4:28 intervals. Now there is no way in hell this is possible in nature. I was dealing with a projection of intellect that was not a god's. I sketched out the mountain until that plaguing though of the map became clear. I had not seen it on a map but in a book. It was a perfect replica of a drawing from an ancient copy of Dante's inferno. Not in two dimensions but in three. Somebody was duping these villagers, but who was my question? At this discovery I elected to return to the village. The villagers were no longer quite the enigma as upon my arrival. They were dupes and I had seen that hundreds of times in my journeys. Now the enigma was who or what was behind it. I wasn't looking to be the champion of these villagers or anything like that I just wanted to know. If they liked their arrangements who was I to interfere. Many thoughts filled my mind before I retired for the night but at the end of the day I knew I was leaving the village in the morning. I was going to leave early and head straight for that mountain. A short sprint even with my equipment would propel me to the jetty.
The morning came and before the sun could cast it's deceptive shadows I was packed and headed to the meadow. I had my knives, hatchet, gun, maps, books, and stock of food. I had said my good-byes on friendly terms but I could tell they were a little caught off guard by my sudden departure. The elders actually had a very concerned look upon their face as though something had slipped their control and they didn't know what the cost of that act was going to be but they were certain there was going to be a cost. I did nothing to settle their minds. I kind of enjoyed it because I really didn't know the answer they were seeking intuitively. What I had decided to do was to make my early exit and walk to the meadow. Even though I was not scantly dressed I would run full speed toward the mountain heat and all and long jump to the jetty. If this mountain was real and I was delusional this could be a very dangerous exercise. I would fall off into the culvert and probably cook trying to get out. I was about as certain as I could be that risking my life seemed no risk at all. Nature is not that queer and I am not that stupid.
Leap, land, roll and surprise was about how it went. I had cleared the culvert easily and rolled straight through the mirage which was a mountain to the villagers. The surprise was not mine alone. What I saw was a bunch of little people. Not like dwarfs with compacted features but simply little people completely proportioned but small. They all seemed to be fat in their bellies from a good life of luxury. They were laughing, playing games, drinking wine, smoking, and eating until shock overtook their lives and faces. There were three blast furnaces that were being monitored by a couple of workers each. They were the heat source for the meadow. Their placement at the far right, left, and center accounted for the variations of heat I recorded. Hanging about 30 feet in the air was some type of projector. Nothing I had seen before. It was obviously the source of the fire mountain. It had hundreds of lenses poking out of it like a porcupine but they didn't shine like a luminescent bulb. They must have been of some laser type. I couldn't imagine how the act was accomplished but I noticed it took electricity because there was a long power cord running up a tree and then suspended in the air between the tree and projector. Very quickly about a dozen of these little folks came rushing towards me. They did not have weapons or evil intent the best I could tell. It was a good thing because I suspected I could take a couple of hundred out by myself. These were the elders and immediately they began bargaining with me. I wasn't interested and told them I was just passing through. They wanted to know if I had revealed my knowledge to any of the villagers. I assured them no and that I wasn't interested in their plight. I was passing through and this was the shortest path to my destination and that's why I took it. They seemed content with this and offered me some hospitality. They were bright and witty with a great sense of humor. They did show some signs though of uncomfortableness about the size difference. Still with a little wine, time, and conversation this seemed to dissipate a little. About three hours later, which was about sunrise, old Abclause came running toward the jetty as I. The projection worked in such a way as a one way mirror. Those inside could see everything going on outside but none could see in. He didn't do the tuck and roll as I because he apparently knew what to expect. It was obvious this was not his first trip. He was shocked to see me but also relieved that he had instantly figured out that I was being entertained.
Abclause joined us and made many conversation probes to see if I had evil intent. All the parties made it clear that I was barred from a return to the village ever again and that I must exit according to my plan through the valley's backside. All the assurances were easy because I was agreeable almost 100%. One thing though I must mention about myself is that my father raised me to be a honest man. There was always this little thing that boiled in me when I came across a cheat, especially an intentional one. That's what these little men and the village elders were up to plain and simple. I thought after all the courting that I would offer my best hatchet as a gift of good graces between us at my parting. After a few hours of them wanting to know how I figured it out so that they could make improvements and assure no village became as wise it was time to leave. Now this hatchet was my favorite and to part with it was difficult. I was a champion ax thrower and this hatchet was handcrafted for me as my competition ax. It was of the best metals and perfectly balanced. I had grown so comfortable with it as an extension of my arm that I could divide a frog’s hair from fifty feet. Of course I did not share that skill with my evil host. I acted a little more tipsy than I was and became loquacious and good-humored. Even old Abclause settled into a comfort of a security that his racket and fraud were secure. That was not true but it was good to see him enjoy himself one last time. I told them I needed to leave and pack my stuff. I offered all the polite courtesies and refused any further hospitality or gifts. I insisted though that I must give them this hatchet for it was my custom if anyone showed me the kindness of the magnitude I received that I was required to leave a gift. I made up a story about how I would need my knife and various other tools to survive and that the hatchet was special not for the reasons it truly was but because my father gave it to me. I passed it around and they all enjoyed the look and feel session until it return to my hand. I began my exit walking as though inebriated and we all laughed. I then bragged about how sharp it was and how your can even throw it. I turned quickly in a very coordinated and calculated direction though disguised as a jerky stumble of a drunk and threw it straight into the power cord. Cut it smack down the middle. I laughed and chuckled acting oblivious to what just happened as they all suddenly turned stone sober. The mountain was gone. I continued my exit as though nothing happened until it was no longer possible. There was fear and ciaos on every face and in every action. They wanted to kill me but I was able to sell the accident quality of my behavior. I apologized profusely with vain offers of trying to fix it. I took advantage of being drunk in their minds the best I could. I think I was doing a little Foster Brooks impersonation. Well it wasn't long before villagers began rushing up to the meadow. I was leaving and nobody seemed to care. They were in that strange naked place of being caught without their wardrobe of deceit. I could see Abclause and the tiny men elders trying to come up with the spin before the villagers arrived but there was obviously no agreement or joy.
It's been years now since this journey and I often wonder if the villagers have been duped again. Perhaps truth crashing in on them has changed their nature. It still amazes me how tiny men can steal the energy and resources of the real men so easily. There must be some principle or random joke pervading the universe that allows what should be impossible to continue to happen. Did the villagers exact restitution, find justice, or were they beguiled again. Their elders compromised their own people for the privilege of luxury from the tiny men. Will they be forgiven, punished, or believed. I don't know the answers to this village and have no plans in my journeys to arrive there again, but I can say I have seen this many places. This one is the only one I have had the opportunity to expose. Though it was in passing, I'm glad I did. Something tells me though there might be a tiny man behind the next illusion because they seemed addicted to the power and luxury of human slavery.
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